The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-02-24
The University and the Agricul-
ytural and Mechanical Branch.
the Editor of the Statesman.

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TO the Editor of the Statesman.
concur in many of the views expressed
by Col. A. j. Rose, master of the State
Grange, in his Memorial to the Legisla-
ture of The State of Texas" wherein he
asks the legislature "to make such just
and equitable apportionment of the Uni
versity funds as shall assign to the Agri-
cultural and Mechanical college its pro
rata, in accordance with its Importance as
the institution from which the vast major
ity of our people Just expect that educa-
ton which will not withdraw their sons
from the industrial occupations; such APP
portionment contemplating no narrow
ing of the resources of the other branches
of the University, except so Tar as
strict justice may demand"
He further says: "Ir is plainly the
duty of all citizens to uphold and advance
all branches of the University in due pro-
PORTION"
This memorial, signed "a. j. Rose, M
T. S. g." is a very ingeniously conceived
document, intended to aid the passage
of the bill now before the Legislature to
divert two-fifths of the University fund
and settle it upon the Agricultural and
Mechanical college.
Now propose TO discuss this memorial
and its offspring, the bill now before the
house of representatives; and, as shall
express myself in very plain and pointed
terms, 1 desire to say at the outset that
Col. Rose is gentleman for whom have
the highest respect. l regard him as
true type of the royal race of noble
Texans. But he and the grange element
he represents have either not Investigated
the status of the University and its
Agricultural and Mechanical branch, or
else they are controlled by blind
prejudice begotten of demagogue, who
denounces the University as the "rich
mans institution" Just here desire to
make the assertion that, instead of being
rich mans institution, the University of
Texas is emphatically an institution
of the people, for the people,
and if properly fostered by
the people, and its resources judiciously
arranged, it will soon become the grand
est institution for the education of the
poor that has ever been founded.
But now to the investigation of this ap-
parently vexed question, which has here
tofore engendered i'll feelings and preju-
ulCGS truly uulOEiuHdUo'
In IS the United States government
made handsome appropriation in lands,
for the encouragement of agricultural and
military institutions. The Legislature dis
posed of the lands that Texas was entitled
TO, and invested the amount ($-), as a
permanent fund for the benefit of the
Agricultural and Mechanical college,
yielding to that institution an annual in
come of $14,700. The Legislature has also
appropriated at various times out of the
University fund and from the general
revenue, the sum of $270,000, thereby en-
abling the board of managers of the
Agricultural and Mechanical college to
erect magnificent college building; an
excellent mess hall and dormitory; several
fine residences for professors; to furnish
complete library, laboratory, etc. In
fact, that institution is complete in all it
appointments, with an ample yearly in
come to meet necessary running expenses.
Not SO the University, which is merely in
its infancy, with but one wing of the
building erected, no mess hall or dormi-
tories, no professors residences, an in
complete library, laboratory, etc., with an
available fund barely sufficient to meet
DT6Sbub uGCSoSdlJ luhhlhB OApChoSo' Oui
with all these advantages possessed by the
Agricultural and Mechanical college, its
board of managers have heretofore de-
manded and received large appropria-
lions from the University fund.
By the constitutional provisions (see
section IA, article viii the University can
never be made burden upon the people,
the Legislature being prohibited from
levying any tax or appropriating any
money out of the general revenue for the
benefit of this institution. But not SO
the Agricultural and Mechanical college, as
frequent appropriations have been made
out of the general revenue for its benefit
Further, (see same section of constitu.
tom it is the duty OF
the legislature, when deemed
practicable, to establish and provide
for college or branch university for the
colored youths of the state;" also medi-
cal department. all at the expense of the
University fund.
Now, in all candor, let me ask, is it fair
is it just, for the Agricultural and Me-
chanical college, which is complete in all
its departments, in perfect running order,
an able corps of professors, with an
ample yearly income to meet reasonable
expenses, to thus draw from the only re-
source of the University, and to thus
cripple and retard its proper develop
lnents for perhaps an hundred years?
Under its present management the
Agricultural and Mechanical col
Iege has exceeded its constitu-
tiona functions, its curriculum,
embracing sciences not provided for
in the constitution, which expressly says
(see section ID, article wiz: "The Agri
cultural and Mechanical college, ETC., is
hereby made branch of the University
of Texas, for instruction in agriculture
the mechanic arts and the natural science;
connected Herewith" But that institu
ton has ignored this wise provision of the
constitution, imparting instruction:
in branches foreign to thest
great industries - in fact, usurp
ing the functions and prerogativel
of the University.
The demagogue has deceived our gran
ger bretheren and impressed upon theil
minds the idea that the University is fol
the rich, and that the Agricultural anC
Mechanical college is truly the institution
for the laboring classes, Tell me how
many scientific farmers and mechanic;
are annually sent forth from the Agricul
tural and Mechanical college to WELD the
hoe and the plane, and l will tell you how
many sons of the poor are being III.
structed at the University. Has
tine Agricultural and Mechanical college